Korean Air to Stop Providing Hot Shin Ramyun Cup Noodles on Flights

Starting August 15, South Korea’s flag carrier, Korean Air, will discontinue its popular practice of serving instant ramen on request during long-haul economy flights to the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East.

This decision, announced on the airline’s website on Thursday, marks a significant change in its in-flight snack offerings.

Renewed In-Flight Snack Service

In place of the beloved cup noodles, Korean Air will “renew its in-flight snack service” by offering a variety of alternative snacks such as sandwiches, corn dogs, and hot pockets. This change, however, will not affect business and first-class passengers, who will continue to enjoy their noodle service.

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Korean Air’s decision to eliminate the cup noodle service in economy class is primarily driven by safety concerns. The airline aims to prevent burn injuries caused by hot water.

In economy class, flight attendants frequently have to carry multiple cups of noodles with hot water simultaneously to serve passengers seated within the same area. This practice poses a significant risk, especially given the increasing incidents of extreme turbulence.

Turbulence and Safety Measures

The airline’s move comes in the context of a broader industry focus on turbulence management. Korean Air is one of 21 airlines that have joined a turbulence real-time data exchange platform launched by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2020. This platform aims to improve the detection and management of turbulence, enhancing passenger safety and comfort.

Implications for Economy Class Passengers

For economy class passengers, the end of the hot cup noodle service might be disappointing, given its popularity. However, the introduction of a variety of new snacks aims to compensate for this change. The new snack options are designed to be more practical and safer to serve, reducing the risk of accidents during flights.

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